Skip to main content

Reply to "Lionel Legacy Base Causing DCS Signal Problems - Resolved -"

A "good signal" is relative.  If you're counting on the track signal test that MTH does reading it on the remote, that's not really a true signal strength test.  All that does is tell you how many DCS packets out of ten can make the round trip to the engine and back.  However, you can have significantly degraded actual signal amplitude on the channel and still get a "perfect" test as far as the MTH measurement is concerned.

The only true test of actual signal strength is to monitor it with a 'scope and see what actual levels exist.

With that being said, if you have read some of the discussions about DCS signal strength and the factors that influence it, including connecting TMCC/Legacy, you'll see that it's far from a simple subject.

The Rev. L TIU DCS output signal drivers are much more susceptible to damage by track transients for some reason.  You'll see several threads on replacing the 74ACT244 driver chips to fix signal output issues.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
×